Nats turn to Strasburg to avoid falling below .500 (with lineups)

There's something about the prospect of Stephen Strasburg facing the Pittsburgh Pirates that gets Nationals fans downright giddy.

Who could forget the hard-throwing right-hander's uber-hyped major league debut on June 8, 2010, when Strasburg fanned 14 Pirates in front of a sellout "Strasmas" crowd at Nationals Park. Yep, that 14-strikeout performance in his first big league game still stands as Straburg's career high in strikeouts.

Who better to turn to when you've lost three straight and are on the verge of falling below .500 for the first time since Aug. 22, 2013?

Strasburg has always pitched well against the Pirates, posting a career 2-1 record with a 2.57 ERA in four starts against them. Makes you wish that the battling Buccos - who are only about five hours away from D.C. - were in the National League East, doesn't it?

Along the way, he's amassed 47 strikeouts in 28 innings, tied for his third-most against any opponent (he's got 85 in 82 innings versus the Marlins, 77 in 63 innings against the Braves and 47 in 43 1/3 innings against the Phillies) and his best mark against a non-NL East foe. Pittsburgh batters are hitting .202 against Strasburg in his career.

Of course, all the good pitching in the world is nothing without run support, and that's been an issue for Strasburg, particularly of late. In his last four starts, he's 1-1 with a 2.30 ERA, and the Nats have scored all of seven runs for him in those outings. When the Nats score three or more runs on his behalf, Strasburg is 3-0; when they score two or fewer runs, he's 0-3.

He's hoping for an offensive outburst at the confluence of three rivers this evening at 7:15 p.m. (Programming note: Tonight's game airs nationally on FOX, so adjust your television remotes accordingly.)

For the Nationals
CF Denard Span
3B Anthony Rendon
RF Jayson Werth
C Wilson Ramos
SS Ian Desmond
1B Greg Dobbs
2B Danny Espinosa
LF Nate McLouth
RHP Stephen Strasburg

For the Pirates
RF Josh Harrison
2B Neil Walker
CF Andrew McCutchen
1B Ike Davis
C Russell Martin
3B Pedro Alvarez
LF Starling Marte
SS Clint Barmes
RHP Gerrit Cole